Wednesday, January 11, 2012

National Radon Action Month

January is National Radon Action Month. Radon is the leading
cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of
about 20,000 Americans each year. Unfortunately, many consumers – even
homeowners – don’t know what radon is! In its most scientific sense, radon is
the chemical element of atomic number 86, a rare radioactive gas belonging to
the noble gas series. It’s colorless and odorless, and the reason it is
hazardous to your health is due to its radioactivity. In fact, radon is
responsible for the majority of exposure to ionizing radiation. Believe it or
not, it can accumulate in buildings, especially in confined areas like attics
and basements.

Depending on how a building is built and how it is
ventilated, radon can accumulate in basements and dwellings. It can also come
in through cracks in solid floors, construction joints, cracks in walls, gaps
in suspended floors, gaps around services pipes, cavities inside walls and the
water supply.

The EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urges all
Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools, and other
buildings for radon. Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk, and testing
radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure. If a high
radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to
protect yourself and your family.

According to the EPA’s website, there
are four things you can do during national radon action month:

Test your home - EPA and
the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes in the U.S. be tested
for radon. Testing is easy and inexpensive

Attend a National Radon
Action Month event in your area - Look for radon events in your community.
Contact your state radon program for more information about local radon
activities.

Spread the word and
spend time during National Radon Action Month encouraging others to learn
about radon and test their homes.

Buy a radon-resistant
home - If you are considering buying a new home, look for builders who use
radon-resistant new construction.

By educating yourself and
following these tips, you can do your part to protect your family and your
community from the dangers of radon. If you would like
to check your home for radon, give your local HomeTeam Inspection Service a
call. We would be happy to help you.